A light drizzle falls, as I pat myself on the back for having had the foresight to take these pictures last Friday.
However, that self-satisfied feeling has simmered down a bit, as I realize I did not have the presence of mind to take notes on this, now almost one-year-old, coat. Let me dig into my noggin:
I know that I used a very simple, vintage, raglan sleeve coat pattern. I know that the pages were yellowed with time (unlike my freshly cleaned, megawatt chompers).
I know that I was inspired by Jasika, and I know that I promised Sarah pics, because I said so on Instagram.
I know that during the time of making this coat, I was also stitching a baker's dozen of holiday prizes, and by prizes I mean full on garments, four of them being jackets, for every one of my lady friends in attendance at a holiday dinner. I know this because once again, I snapped that ridiculously stressful endeavor on Instagram.
(Fair warning, lady friends: I'm not doing that again. THAT WAS A THREE RING CIRCUS OF CRAZY.)
I know that Instagram is a lifesaver for jogging one's memory, when one was insane with holiday prize making, and wasn't in one's right mind......because all this sleuthing made a lightbulb go off in the recesses of my brain, and I just recalled and dug out the vintage pattern! HUZZAH, INSTAGRAM!
It is, drum roll please, Simplicity 3449, a lovely little thing, which includes a "primer" with some simple tailoring instructions. I have no idea if I employed those instructions (see: three ring circus), but the coat is warm and heavy and sturdy! Instagram also confirms that this yardage is Alice & Olivia, from Mood...and a beautiful, soft, hairy fabric it is. The collar, sleeve & hem edges are bound in wool remnants. I definitely underlined it for added warmth & structure. I don't know with what, as it's hidden under a polytastic, purple, midweight slippery lining from Ye Olde Janky Store.
What it doesn't have is a snap at the neck! I either ran out of sturdy brass snaps, or ran out of time, in the Circus Of Christmas 2016. Probably the latter. At the moment, she closes up with any number of vintage pins from my grandmothers' box of costume jewelry.
Well, it's climbing back up to 57 later this week, so maybe I'll run out and see if the circus is around to provide a backdrop for some lighter fare. I can't promise it will be seasonally appropriate, but hey, what is anymore? (Side note: have you heard that our good efforts to close the hole in the ozone layer have maybe been working? And that our equally bad contributions to global warming also possibly have a hand in this shrinkage? This is a very strange equation, and my Instagram is of no help in this brand of mystery. Sewing scientists, your thoughts are sought.)
This is amazing! I love the fabric (and the ear muffs!)
ReplyDeleteThat gorgeous coat is a perfect example of why one sews. Beautiful!
DeleteThank you both! What a lovely compliment.
DeleteYour twist on the textile design makes this a wonderful coat. Enjoy!
ReplyDeletethank you Dorothy! I'm glad I kept it simple. I always want to play with 20 pattern pieces, but this fabric is like 20 pattern pieces on its own ;)
Deleteamazing coat - you wear it so well and love the costume broach....
ReplyDeleteThanks Elmear! Maybe I'll make the pin permanent :)
DeleteThat trim is the frosting on the cake of a yummy, fuzzy coat!
ReplyDeleteNow that's a cake & frosting analogy I can get behind!!
DeleteWow.
ReplyDeleteI also like the jewellery involved. It's that last detail that makes it... 100% you?
:)) hey girl!! I think you're right. It does seem like something I'd do on purpose!
DeleteIn this coat, you are like The Abominable Snow-Flower Child! It's amazing, unique, and smile-inducing! :) :) :). Lovely work!
ReplyDeleteHAHA! I love that! I do like to add a little abominable whenever possible :)
DeleteGorgeous! All of my coats are boring and simply functional.
ReplyDeleteNow Lynn, I know you can take care of that problem!
DeleteI can! And you've got me thinking about it but, to be honest, about 95% of the time I wear a windproof fleece parka that I bought from Duluth Trading Co.
DeleteOnce again, the garment style, fabric selection, workmanship, ensemble is perfect and inspiring; you radiate health and happiness. I enjoy your choice of settings for the photography, interesting and artistic.
ReplyDeleteBarbara, thank you so much. (Photo wise, I had initially chosen the white marble wall facing the circus...then I came to my senses ;)
DeleteI work in the environmental field and currently specifically on climate change, so: Nope. Hole in the ozone layer is CFCs. Climate change is driven by greenhouse gases, mostly fossil fuels. The hole in the ozone layer is very slowly closing because global bans on CFCs are having a glacially-paced impact (not that those global bans have totally stopped CFC use, but it has slowed dramatically). Burning fossil fuels is in no way going to speed the closure of the hole in the ozone layer. In fact there's some evidence that the climatic changes we're experiencing will be detrimental to the ozone layer.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.ucsusa.org/global_warming/science_and_impacts/science/ozone-hole-and-gw-faq.html#bf-toc-4
That said if you ever find the link or reference I'd be happy to comment on it.
(Also: nice coat! ;) )
I felt that the combination of news in the blurb I saw was...not adding up... unfortunately, I spied it in an elevator. You know, those ones that have TVs in them now, because we can't stand to be without some screen yammering at us for even an elevator ride 🙄
Delete